South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-05-27
NELLIE'S PICKPOCKET,

gone" said Nellie, looking sharply at
the young man at her side. 81 am sure, ."
she added, in a much lower tone, "this
fellow has taken it," We were sitting
in a box at Partisan theatre.
But he looks too respectable for
thief" said I.
81 am certain Of IT," she continued,
''for felt his hand close TO my pocket.
And see how guilty he looks"
The poor, accused youth was, 1t is
true, looking wonderingIy at the pretty,
flushed face near him, but failed 10 de-
tect guilt in the soft, brown eyes and
mild expression.
my dear, be quiet sure you hal your
purse with you before you make such a
harsh statement" said Mrs Howell.
"0h, am quite sure. / remember
running back to the moment and search
ing well before / found it. What
could be moro convincing1'
Then my dear, If there was sum of
any consequence in 1t we will have this
person examined before the police" said
Mrs. Howell, in decided tone.
Forthwith / dispatched to bring a
sergeant de vile tho little old woman
with streaming pink cap-ribbons, who,
for douceur, shows thcatrc-gocrs their
places, tucks a petit-bon under their
feet, and presides over their welfare
generally.
After few uncomfortable moments.
during which the object of all interest
complaccntly watched the progress OF
an entreacte, the little woman came
back, followed by a civil looking man.
who tapped our victim on tho shoulder
and requested his presence for moment
at the nearest gendGrmerie.
We followed, Nellie looking nervous
but determined, evidently convinced
that her resolution on this occasion
would be rewarded.
We crossed the street and entered the
forbidden doors of that terror Of gamins,
she police station, and the now enlight-
! cncd young man, after few questions
from the officer, permitted, without the
least reluctance, an examination Of his
| pockets.
noticed a crest on the delicate blue
| silk handkerchief and the Russian leath.
er pockct-boolI which the officer ruth.
lcssly drew TO light, but no purs, was
| found.
With more than ordinary French po-
likeness, the accused expressed regret
that madcmoiscl'e had been dcranged
by the occurrence, and with only a very
mildly rcproachful glance and bow he
left the room.
| We also started on our homeward
way not little mystifed by the affair.
A solution awaited US on entering our
salon, for there lad tho purs y hire
just for an instant IL had been laid By
mademolscllc while she gave highly
important pat to the little curls around
bcr face and a farewell tilt TO her
/ but
The next morning IN apologize note
that Nellie had written with downcast
air was conveyed TO It's destination by
means Of the address that TIC cfficcr had
taken down, and tho unplcasanjncss was
dismissed from our conversation, if not
entirely from our minds.
Nearly two years later, at tho close Of
q long summer day, VIC found ourselves
in a little cultivated bit Of ground that
seemed to cling TO the rugged side OF a
Swiss mountain. A succession Of scenes
and impressions now TO a mind attuncd
to nature had so bcguilcd ms that before
we commenced the descent 10 our hotel
the deep shadows ofnight were closing
fast about us.
We ran down rs quickly ne tho loosely
scattered stones would permit, dread
ing place midway down the mountain
side, where late torrent had washed
trees, rocks and earth across our path for
many yards
Nellie suddenly gave a sharp cry an I
fell, confused mass 81 dark clothing
and sliding stones at my feet.
81 have spraincd my ankle" she
cried, and before / could reply manly
voice speaking with a slight foreign &C.
cent was heard.
Pray allow me 70 assist YOU. maiamo